I ordered flowers and plants from ProFlowers in December 2008 and took advantage of their "free shipping" offer. While placing the orders, it said it was a rebate. I assumed I would fill out paperwork after the items were delivered.
After all orders were placed, the shipping rebates, totaling $73.91, were passed to an "affiliate company" of theirs called Freeshipping through Insiders Club. The offer said I would have to sign up for their program and try it free for 30 days, and if I did not want to continue as a subscriber, I could then cancel. Considering I had a good amount in shipping, I thought I would do this. I filled out all the information they requested, including my credit card information.
Some time went by and nothing happened, so I went to their site and found that I had to fill out information online requesting each individual rebate. Then I had to print and fill out an extensive form for each delivery and mail it along with a copy of the order and paid receipts. I did all of this.
I was coming up on the end of the 30 days and nothing had arrived, so I went to their site again and emailed them about this. Their site is tricky to use for getting to your history. I looked mine up, and the rebates and amounts were entered but "pending." I read further and it stated they had 6 weeks to refund, and that to get your refunds paid you had to be an active member. That was the first outrage, because it meant I would obviously have to pay for a second month to get my rebates.
Six weeks went by and nothing, so I contacted ProFlowers, who said they were very sorry and would look right into it. They emailed back and said some rebates had been processed for me.
After getting the run-around, and after I took a more aggressive approach with Freeshipping, who said they could not find anything on me (yeah, right), I was told two rebates had been processed and payments sent out. Again I waited and nothing came. So I went back to my history and found two rebates stating they were processed, one for $14.98 and the other for $00.02. All the other rebate requests I had filed were not there.
I went back and forth between Freeshipping and ProFlowers and was told I had clicked on a $15.00 coupon. I asked what they were talking about. They said that was the program. I told them exactly what I read and did and expected my refunds immediately. ProFlowers then sent an email to Freeshipping, who responded, but they sent the response to me by mistake. I found out exactly what they planned to do, which was nothing, thinking I would just go away. I sent ProFlowers a copy of the email and stated how professional they were (including their "affiliate company"), and I now understand what they think of their customers.
I did everything I could to work this situation out, but I spent enough time for nothing. I then contacted my bank and filed a dispute for the amount of the rebates I was due. These charges will be removed from my credit card.
One thing is for sure: before doing business with anyone, I will check the "Rip-Off" Report. There were many negative reports on both of these companies. The Rip-Off Report is definitely a great service, and please tell everyone about it, as I am doing. The companies involved are Freeshipping.com, Insidersclub.com and Proflowers.com.
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